ACT Test Day Requirements To Bring With You On The Exam Day
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The key to preventing terrible scenarios on your ACT test day is proper preparation. It’s not just about studying for months, but preparation to ensure everything goes as planned for the test day. Getting stuck on a question is bad, but breaking your pencil in the middle of the test has been just as disastrous. Part of acing the ACT is knowing exactly what to bring and what to leave at home.
- What To Bring With You On The ACT Test Day
- Other Things That You Might Need When Taking The ACT Test
- Prohibited Items In the ACT Testing Room
- Other Important ACT Test Day Tips
Learn more review materials here: Practice Tests for ACT Science
What To Bring With You On The ACT Test Day
- A printed copy of your admission ticket. Log in to MyACT and print your admission ticket once your photo has been uploaded and approved. ACT may still admit you without it, but on a paper test a missing ticket can delay your scores.
- A valid photo ID. It must be an original, current hard plastic card issued by a city, state or federal agency or by your school, and the name must match your ACT registration. Paper and electronic IDs are not accepted. Common examples:
- Your current school ID
- Your driver’s license
- Your state-issued photo ID card
If you don’t have an acceptable photo ID, have a school official or a notary fill out the ACT Student Identification Form with your photo. A relative can’t complete it for you.
On the ACT test day, you can’t present credit or bank cards, birth certificates, employer-issued IDs, Social Security cards, photocopies or learner’s permits without a photo as ID. Personal recognition doesn’t count either, so don’t be complacent. Even if your test administrator is someone you know, you can’t take the test without approved ID. Your admission ticket and valid photo ID are important requirements on the ACT test day.
At least two pieces of #2 pencils and a good quality eraser. Always make sure to have a spare pencil in case the one you’re using breaks. Pens, mechanical pencils, liquid paper, highlighters and other writing accessories are not acceptable, including for the ACT essay test.
See our full post on What To Bring On ACT Test Day here.
- An approved calculator. A permitted calculator is optional and can be used only on the math test. Check ACT’s calculator policy before test day, since some models are banned. Online testers also get an on-screen calculator.
On the ACT test day, bring your admission ticket, valid photo ID, No. 2 pencils and, if you want one, a permitted calculator. If you test online with your own device, also bring a fully charged laptop and charger.
Related Topic: ACT (American College Testing) Test Guide – Registration, Test Dates & Scores
Other Things That You Might Need When Taking The ACT Test
- Additional #2 pencils and a small, handy pencil sharpener. These are essential backups should mishaps take place while you’re taking the test. They will bring you much-needed convenience if you’re taking the ACT with the optional writing test, where you will need to write an essay.
- Extra calculator batteries. The last thing you would want to happen while taking ACT Math is to have a dead calculator. That’s why you need to bring extra batteries for this test accessory. In fact, it makes sense to put new batteries in your calculator on the day before the ACT test. See to it that your calculator is operating well a day before taking the test as well.
- Snacks and drinks to replenish you during your breaks. Although eating is not allowed in the testing room, The ACT test schedule includes breaks. Bring nutritious snacks and drinks with you to energize you on this long and important test.
- A noiseless watch with no audible alarms. It must stay on your desk, and smartwatches and fitness bands are not allowed. A plain watch comes in handy because you’ll need to keep track of the time when taking the different sections of the test. Don’t forget about the time limit for every section of the ACT. You need to be aware of the time when taking the ACT test. But this is an optional ACT test requirement, specifically if it distracts you or causes anxiety.
Check our ACT Practice Tests for English
Prohibited Items In the ACT Testing Room
With these items packed and ready in your bag for the ACT test day, you should be all set to take this important test. You only need to bring the items mentioned above on the ACT test day. Be aware of the restricted items to bring in the testing center such as:
- Technologies with recording or communication capabilities. Phones, smartwatches, fitness bands and other devices must be turned off and out of sight, including during breaks. If a device is accessed or goes off, you’ll be dismissed, your test won’t be scored and the device may be confiscated.
- Dictionaries (except an ACT-approved bilingual dictionary, which staff will inspect), textbooks, notes, scratch paper and other reading material. “Cheat sheets” are prohibited.
- Highlighters, colored pens, correction fluid or tape, and any other writing tools except No. 2 pencils.
Related Topic: ACT Math Practice Tests 3
Other Important ACT Test Day Tips
ACT test prep can start from many months until the test day as well as the night before that schedule. It is just as crucial to study and be prepared for the different test topics and get your gear ready the night before. Pack every necessary item in your backpack the night before the ACT test day. Your backpack should be prepacked as you are all set and ready on the morning of the ACT test. Have an extra copy of your admission test ticket. A back-up for this requirement could be useful. Prepare this a few days before the test and not during the last minute. Because anything can happen, such as printers breaking and so on.
See also our Best ACT Prep Course here.
Eat a nutritious breakfast. Make sure that you are physically ready for the test. Go on with whatever routine exercises that you do every morning, and don’t forget to pack your snacks and drinks. Your morning on the ACT test day should be stress-free and relaxed. This will help you to be emotionally and mentally ready for your long-awaited feat.
Think twice about bringing your cellphone. Silencing it is not enough: it must be powered off and out of sight for the whole test, so leaving it at home or in the car is the safest choice.
Make a checklist and make sure all the ACT test requirements discussed in this article are in your backpack. With everything ready, you can focus all your attention and energy on doing your best so you can ace the ACT test. If you do this right, you can walk in calm and ready to do your best.
Related Topics:
- Practice Tests for ACT Science 3
- ACT English Practice Tests 4
- How ACT Reviewers And Guides Help You Boost Your ACT Score
- ACT Test: Should You Aim For A High Score?
- ACT Registration and Requirements
- ACT Test Dates
- Preparing For ACT Test
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